Craft News
- Written by: Michael Genner
On Saturday the 25th of March 2017, the Tercentenary meeting at Great Queen Street was attended by three generations of the Day family from the thriving Piscator Lodge. WBro Daniel Day was proudly supported by his grandfather and father, WBros Albert and Aaron Day. The three generations, in common with around 1,500 brethren and family from the Province, had a wonderful day!
From left, WBro Albert Day, WBro Daniel Day and WBro Aaron Day
Daniel's great-grandfather, Bro Fred Leaney, was also a member of Piscator Lodge, but sadly passed to the Grand Lodge above before he could become Master.
- Written by: John Fergusson
At the Provincial Grand Charity AGM on Saturday 11 March 2017, I announced the details of the Appointments and Promotions to Grand Rank for 2017 and, on behalf of the Province, I extend our sincere congratulations on First Appointments to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to :
W.Bro Michael Charles Alexander Caseman-Jones – Waynflete Lodge No 4452
W Bro Michael has been our Provincial Grand Secretary since May 2015, having previously served as the Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary. As many of you know, he works tirelessly to ensure the Provincial Secretariat and our Province is run with military precision.
W.Bro John Henry Hitchin – Old Kimboltonians' Lodge No 7204
W Bro John is a very busy Freemason and is well known to many because he was the Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2011/12, an appointment that he served with some considerable distinction. Equally, others may know him as he serves as Honorary Organist to many Lodges in the Province.
Our congratulations are also extended to the following Brethren for their respective Reappointment and Promotions
VW Bro James Henry Newman, OBE – Old Wellingburian Lodge No 5570 has been reappointed as Deputy President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation which is quite naturally a source of great pride to this Province, however, it also recognises the excellent contribution he has made to that organisation in particular.
W Bro Charles Anthony Bennett – De La Pre Lodge No 1911, our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, has been honoured with a promotion from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Senior Grand Deacon as he completes a very successful first year as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
W Bro Robert Leonard Allison – Dr Field Lodge No 8158 has been promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon which is very well deserved and reflects the unstinting contribution that he has made to the Northampton centre since his appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1999.
Left to Right: VW Bro James Newman, Asst PGM, W Bro Charles Bennett & W Bro Bob Allison
I look forward to being with them when receive their preferment at the Annual Investiture at Grand Lodge in April 2017.
RW Bro Max Bayes
Provincial Grand Master
WBro Frank Munns was presented with a 50-year certificate at a 2nd Degree Passing Ceremony held by Dr Field Lodge No. 8158 on Monday the 13th of March 2017.
From left, WBro Norman Pope PAsstProvGM, WBro William Diggins ProvAGSec; WBro Scott Austin, Master of Dr Field Lodge; WBro Frank Munns PPJGW, WBro Bob Allison PAGDC
Frank was born on the 15th of October 1937, and was initiated Into Gunnersbury Manor Lodge, No 5351 on the 11th of March 1967, at the age of 29. Frank progressed through the lodge offices in the usual way and attained the chair in 1980. He spent some five years as Secretary. Frank became a joining member of The Manor of Worcesters Lodge No 5687 in February 1992, meeting four times a year at Southgate, and attained the Chair in 1994. He also acted as Tyler in 1996. He was ADC from 1998 to 2000 and DC for two periods from 2001 to 2004 and again in 2008, leaving his duties as DC to again become JW in 2009 and SW in 2010.
After a spell in Liverpool, work moved him to Northampton 1982. Frank chose to join Dr Field Lodge in November 2015 when he resigned from his London Lodge in Southgate in the July of that year to spend all his time in Northampton.
Frank was honoured by the Province of Middlesex by promotion to Provincial Grand Rank as PPAGDC in 1987, PPJGD in 1990, PPDepGReg in 2000 and now holds the rank of PPJGW since 2010.
We hope Frank will have many more happy years to enjoy the Craft in Dr Field Lodge and this Province, and wish him well.
WBro Jem Blason, of Old Northamptionian Lodge, No.5694 has been busy distributing funds raised during his 2015-16 year in the chair.
WBro Jem donated £1,000 to Palmer Court Masonic Housing Association -
WBro Jem Blason presenting a cheque to Mrs Jill Lett, the manager of Palmer Court Masonic Housing Association
He also donated £1,500 to Facefacts, a Northampton based charity supporting victims of face and throat cancer -
WBro Jem Blason presenting a cheque to Mrs Carol Dunstone, founder of Facefacts